USPTO Appoints New Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations
Washington – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the appointment of Mary Boney Denison as Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations. In her new position, Ms. Denison will oversee the examination and processing of applications throughout the trademark operation.
Ms. Denison is a founding partner of Manelli Denison & Selter PLLC in Washington, D.C. where her practice has focused on trademark prosecution and litigation. She has been an active member of the 5,500 member International Trademark Association (INTA) for many years having served as a member of the INTA Board of Directors for three years; as Vice Chair and Chair of its Treaty Analysis Committee; and most recently she served as Chair of the USPTO subcommittee charged with representing the international trademark bar before the agency. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce appointed Ms. Denison to a three year term as a voting member of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC) in October 2008.
“Mary brings unparalleled experience and expertise to the agency and will be a great addition to our team,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. “I very much look forward to working with her in her new capacity, and I know she will keep the Trademarks organization on its current path of success.”
“I am delighted to have Mary join our senior management team and know her experience in trademark law and as an active member of TPAC will be invaluable as we work to continually improve our operations,” added Commissioner for Trademarks Deborah Cohn.
Ms. Denison was selected as a “Washington DC Super Lawyer 2007,” placing her in the top five percent of Washington, D.C. area lawyers. Prior to establishing Manelli Denison & Selter in 1996, she was a partner with Graham & James LLP where she practiced for ten years. Before joining Graham & James, Ms. Denison was associated with the New York law firm of Smith, Steibel, Alexander & Saskor where she was primarily involved in handling litigation for foreign clients. Ms. Dennison is a graduate of Duke University and the University of North Carolina School of Law.